DURANGO, Colo. – When you consider how his career started, getting the right opportunity and taking advantage of it pretty much describes Rasmus Bach's journey throughout his basketball career. After almost having no college basketball offers to play out of high school, to becoming a star on the Fort Lewis College team to now living out his dream of playing professionally in Denmark for the Cimbria Randers, everything seems to be coming together at the right time for Bach.
Bach played four years of high school basketball for Anderson in Austin, Texas, where he was named to the first team All-District, first team All-Region, Academic All-State and All-District and Offensive Player of the Year. He put together a strong showing, but only had one partial offer to go to Texas State. That's when a former Fort Lewis College player and his dad helped land Bach on the journey that has continued to this day.
"I had no real offers out of high school except for a partial one at Texas State," Bach recalled. "I was probably going to try and go there and make it work until the coach that recruited me got fired and the new coach went in a different direction. I ended up then playing summer ball with Will Morse who was already playing at Fort Lewis, so his dad, Ron, dropped my name to coaches Bob Pietrack and Daniel Steffensen and fortunately because of his nice words and seeing me play that summer, they offered me a scholarship."
The real story behind why he might have been left off the radar is a funny one-except maybe for Rasmus.
"It turns out that everyone thought I had already signed to go play at Texas Tech because they asked some coach in the crowd at a summer game they were watching me and the coach said 'I think he's going to Texas Tech.'" Bach said. "When they heard I wasn't going there from Ron Morse, they were happy and gave me a scholarship. Pietrack saw my potential and knew I would be great!"
"Ras represents everything that is right with collegiate athletes. He was a wonderful student, excellent player and a great teammate," Pietrack said. "His career at Fort Lewis was spectacular and we all look forward to watching his basketball journey continue."
Bach took full advantage of the opportunity in Durango, as the five-year member of the Skyhawks, he started strong right out of the gate coming back from an injury to earn RMAC Freshman of the Year honors, along with All-American Honorable Mention accolades that season. A three-time Academic All-RMAC performer, he started all 31 games his senior year, averaging 14.9 points and 5.1 rebounds. He earned RMAC honors all four seasons on the court, also took home NABC Honors Court twice. Bach finished his career at FLC ranked in the top-10 career in points (second, 1,841), made free throws (second, 497), made field goals (third, 615), assists (fifth, 320) and rebounds (eighth, 639). With all that success, he remembers enjoying the great community that is Durango.
"Every year was such a different year," Bach said. "Having won two RMAC regular season and tournament titles is up there for sure. I think being around the whole community, having that one-on-one attention in your classes, a smaller coaching staff really helped as well. That gave you a chance to know each other and build friendships. I have made friendships that will last forever from being at FLC."
Once his amazing career ended at FLC, it was time to think about the future. To Rasmus, the future would hopefully include what he enjoyed doing the most – getting the chance to play basketball professionally.
"Ever since I was in high school and during my time at FLC I would dream about being able to play professionally," Bach said. "When the possibly opportunity came up to play in Denmark, I figured I might have the advantage over other U.S. born players because I was born in Denmark and have dual citizenship."
Just like when it came to him finding a spot for his collegiate playing career, it was no different when it came to battling the pros to get his chance.
"I got an opportunity to play in June at the National tryouts and being the new guy, I knew I needed to impress the coaches and the other players to try and land a spot," Bach said. "They only suit up 12 players a night, so I knew I needed to make an impression with the minutes I was able to get. Being able to make the 16 man roster helped get my name out to the other teams in the league."
Bach will report for the season roughly around the middle of August and the season will run from September 20 through May 15. If his team can end up first in the league, they have a chance to play in the European Cup, which gives teams an opportunity to extend their seasons another month and a chance to be seen by more scouts.
At this point, he will enter the season on a one-year contract, similar to most new players and he hopes that if it goes well enough in a few years, he can keep progressing through the circuit.
"I will see how everything goes after a year or two, but hopefully I can move to a top German, Spanish or Italian league to get more exposure and possibly a shot at the NBA down the road," he said.
Bach has had to adjust his game slightly to the international game, especially when it comes to the overall physicality.
"The game is very similar to here in the U.S., but they let you push a lot more and get away with some things," Bach said. "The other part is the spacing, as the three-point line is further back and you have to get used to that around the sidelines."
From here on out, Bach will be focused on chasing his dream and also appreciates the opportunity he was first given to play at FLC.
"I would like to thank the coaches, Bob Hofman, Pietrack and Steffensen, they were huge in my development and I certainly wouldn't be here right now if it wasn't for them," he said.
Fans can follow Rasmus' journey on a website started by his fiancé, former FLC volleyball player and Student Body President, Lindley Gallegos, at www.lindleyloraine.com. She will keep updates of their journey in Denmark.
